What Does American Law Have to Teach Us?
Laws act as the conscience of an ordered, self-governing society. They are guiding lights intended to protect individuals from Leviathan but also the state of nature, and are necessary for a free society that values ordered liberty. But do changes in law shift the norms and mores of society, or is it the other way around? In other words, can we “legislate morality?” The law has a pedagogical function that serves to make us more moral beings, but where should the balance between individual freedom and the regulation of moral culture through the law be struck?
Join ISI in Wilmington, Delaware, from April 21st to 23rd to explore what the American legal system seeks to teach us. Who “counts” as a person worthy of the protections of law? What is the justification for our political order? What obligations are strengthened by law, and how does the moral sense of our culture find expression in our legal codes? Hear from leading scholars and political philosophers as you seek answers to these questions.
Registrations are limited to student leaders of ISI societies. Students who attend the conference will also receive a complimentary subscription of First Things magazine after attending the conference, as well as a discount code for members of their society. All expenses are paid! Reach out to Tom Sarrouf at tsarrouf@isi.org with any questions or concerns.